Suitcase support apparatus, kit and method of installing the same

ABSTRACT

A suitcase support apparatus includes a housing having a plurality of channels for engaging the storage tubes of a wheeled suitcase, a support strut and a wheeled arm member pivotally secured to the housing. The invention also including a control unit having a latch, switch and tether for transitioning the apparatus between an open and closed position. 
     A suitcase support method includes method steps for installing the suitcase support apparatus to a conventional wheeled suitcase, and a suitcase support kit includes a suitcase support apparatus, a fabric cutting device, an adhesive material, and instructions for performing the above noted method steps.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to transportation cases such as a suitcase and more particularly to a suitcase support apparatus that can be secured to a conventional wheeled suitcase to provide additional functionality.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

Travel cases such as trunks and suitcases have been utilized for years to protect and transport the personal belongings of travelers. As such, travelers arriving or departing from a location such as an airport terminal, for example, must often arrange to transport their luggage between the loading area of the terminal and their automobile, which may be parked some distance away. Moreover, when arriving at a destination or when traveling within the terminal, users must carry the luggage over great distances before arriving at the desired location.

Whether the user is transporting a suitcase containing clothing and other such items, or transporting equipment within a secure travel case; the task of physically maneuvering luggage from point a to point b can be daunting and can further be affected by the weight and design of the luggage itself, along with the physical condition and age of the traveler.

As such, innovations in luggage design have seen the introduction of the wheeled suitcase. FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a wheeled suitcase 5 in accordance with background art. As shown, the conventional wheeled suitcase typically includes a cavernous bag area 6 for receiving and storing the personal contents of a user, and a trolley system 10 for facilitating movement of the bag. As shown, the trolley system includes a pair of longitudinally extending storage tubes 11 containing a pair of telescoping rods 12, each having a top end that is connected to a handle 13. An upper plate 14 secures the trolley to the top portion of the bag area 6, and a lower plate 15 having a pair of wheels 16 secure the trolley to the bottom portion of the bag area.

Although the above described wheeled suitcase is much easier to transport than the more conventional non-wheeled luggage, it suffers from several drawbacks. For example, when utilizing the above described suitcase, the user must constantly perform a delicate balancing act wherein the bag is tilted to an angle that is sufficient to allow only the wheels to make contact with the ground, while not angling the bag so much that it falls over. Then, once a sufficient angle has been achieved, the user must pull the bag to their location, while simultaneously keeping the bag at the desired angle.

When stopping temporarily, the user must reposition the bag upright and then, prior to resuming movement, the suitcase must be inclined and balanced again. Accordingly, the need to tilt the suitcase each time before being able to move to another location is inconvenient to the user and often times results in the bag falling over. Moreover, when the bag contents are heavy, the above noted process becomes exponentially more difficult, as it is extremely difficult to balance the heavy bag while managing other items commonly used during travel. To this end, many times, users are forced to purchase or rent secondary transport devices such as carts or dollies, for example which can allow the suitcases to be pushed and pulled without requiring the user to constantly balance the bag.

Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide a suitcase support apparatus which can be incorporated into any number of existing wheeled suitcases in order to overcome the above noted problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a suitcase support apparatus. One embodiment of the present invention can include a housing having a plurality of channels for engaging the storage tubes of a wheeled suitcase, support strut, and a wheeled arm member pivotally secured to the housing. The invention can also include a control unit having a latch, switch and tether for transitioning the apparatus between an open and closed position.

Another embodiment of the present invention can include method steps for installing the suitcase support apparatus to a conventional wheeled suitcase.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention can include a kit having a suitcase support apparatus, a fabric cutting device, an adhesive material, and instructions for performing the above noted method steps.

This summary is provided merely to introduce certain concepts and not to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Presently preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a wheeled suitcase in accordance with background art.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the suitcase support apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 a is a front side view of the housing of the apparatus, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 b is a rear side view of the housing of the apparatus, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 c is a front side view of the housing of the apparatus, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the support arm of the apparatus, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a bottom side view of the apparatus in an open position, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method for installing the suitcase support apparatus onto a wheeled suitcase, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is an inside perspective view of the suitcase support apparatus attached to a suitcase, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the suitcase support apparatus attached to a suitcase in the closed position, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the suitcase support apparatus attached to a suitcase in an extended position, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of suitcase support kit, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the description in conjunction with the drawings. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the inventive arrangements in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention.

Identical reference numerals are used for like elements of the invention or elements of like function. For the sake of clarity, only those reference numerals are shown in the individual figures which are necessary for the description of the respective figure. For purposes of this description, the terms “upper,” “bottom,” “right,” “left,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 2.

As described throughout this document, the apparatus 20 can be secured to an existing suitcase utilizing any number of conventional hardware, such as screws, nuts and bolts, glue, compression fittings, adhesives, and the like, which are commonly utilized to secure two items together.

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a suitcase support apparatus 20 that is useful for understanding the inventive concepts disclosed herein. As shown, the apparatus 20 can generally include a housing 30, a pivotally attached arm member 40, an adjustable length support strut 50 and a controller 60.

FIGS. 3 a-3 c illustrate embodiments of the housing of the apparatus 30 which can preferably be constructed from a strong, lightweight material such as injection molded plastic, for example, having a front facing surface 30 a, a rear facing surface 30 b, a top end 30 c a bottom end 30 d having a flared lip 35. As shown, the housing can include a plurality of indentations/recessed sections extending from the front surface toward the rear surface for receiving and positioning the below described apparatus components.

To this end, the front facing surface of the housing 30 a can include a centrally located recess 31 having a shape and dimension that approximates the shape and thickness of the pivotal arm 40 described below. A support strut cavity 32 is formed along the middle portion of the recess 31, and includes a shape and dimension suitable for receiving the support strut 50 described below, and a pair of wheel wells 33 is formed along the bottom end of the housing 30 d for receiving the wheels 43 of the pivotal arm, shown in FIG. 4.

As shown in FIGS. 3 b and 3 c, the rear facing surface of the housing 30 b can include a plurality of elongated hollow channels having a dimension suitable for receiving the storage tubes 11 of a conventional wheeled suitcase. As shown, the channels can include opposing upper channels 34 a and lower channels 34 b which are vertically aligned. The channels 34 can be disposed along either side of the strut cavity 32, and depending on the size of the bag to be attached, can be located between the wheel wells 33 (FIG. 3 b) or directly above the wheel wells 33 (FIG. 3 c). In either instance, each of the upper channels 34 a and lower channels 34 b can include a shape, dimension and spacing relative to each other, that is suitable for receiving the storage tubes 11 of a conventional suitcase to which the apparatus is to be secured.

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of the apparatus arm member 40. In the preferred embodiment, the arm member 40 can include a generally inverted T-shaped member that is constructed from a sturdy, lightweight material such as injection molded plastic, for example. The arm member 40 having a front facing surface 40 a, a rear facing surface 40 b, a top end 40 c and a bottom end 40 d. A generally hook shaped clip 41 is disposed along the middle portion of the rear facing surface 40 b, and a strut connection cavity 42 is disposed along the upper middle portion of the arm member along the rear facing surface.

A pair of opposing omnidirectional wheels 43 can be disposed along the bottom end of the support arm body so as to engage the ground when the device is in operation. Additionally, a pair of connectors such as the protrusions 44 can be disposed along the upper surface of the support arm and can function to engage the complementary positioned openings 31 a within the arm recess 31 of the housing 30. In this manner, the arm member 40 can be affixed to the housing 30 in a manner sufficient to allow the arm to rotate (see arrow a of FIG. 9) about the connectors 44 in order to transition between a closed position (FIG. 8) and an extended/open position (FIG. 5).

Although described above as including protrusions 44, this is for illustrative purposes only, as any number of other known connectors such as hinges, for example, and/or conventional hardware can also be utilized herein to secure the support arm to the housing in a manner consistent with the above described use of the device.

FIG. 5 illustrates the apparatus 40 in an extended position. In the preferred embodiment, the support strut 50 can comprise a controllable gas spring having a first end 51 that is secured within the strut cavity 32 of the housing, and a telescoping second end 52 that is secured within the strut connection cavity 42 of the pivotal arm member. In this regard, each of the cavities 32 and 42 can include any number of openings 32 a, shown in FIGS. 3 c and 42 a shown in FIG. 4, respectively, for receiving conventional hardware sufficient for aligning and positioning the strut ends within the cavities. As will be described below, the strut 50 can function to move the wheeled support arm 40 between the open and closed positions, based on the preferences of a user.

As described herein, the strut 50 can include any number of different lengths, or can include a bias/adjustment mechanism 53 for allowing the user to adjust the length to which the strut can extend. Such a feature can function to position the support arm 40 at any number of distances from the frame, thereby resulting in the ability to position the bag onto which the apparatus is installed at any number of different angles. Moreover, the adjustment mechanism can also be secured to the tether 62 of the control unit so as to allow operation of the adjustment mechanism 53 via the switch 63 described below.

A spring loaded latch 61 having a sheathed control tether 62 and switch 63 can function to operate the apparatus. As shown, the spring latch 61 can include a shape that is complementary to the clip 45 of the arm member 40 that is positioned within the bottom portion of the strut cavity 32. The attached control tether 62 can pass through a second opening 32 b positioned along the top end of the strut cavity and terminate into a switch 63. As described herein, the switch 63 can include any number of conventional mechanisms suitable for applying a force onto the tether 62 sufficient to disengage the latch and clip, and/or to engage the control mechanism 53. To this end, whenever the support arm 40 is rotated toward the housing 30, the latch 61 can engage the clip 45 in order to maintain the apparatus in a closed position. Conversely, whenever the latch and clip are not engaged, the strut 50 can extend the arm member 40 outward, in order to allow the device to be used.

As the above described apparatus is designed to retrofit existing wheeled suitcases, FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary flow chart for performing a method 600 of installing the apparatus 20 onto an existing wheeled suitcase. FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of the apparatus that has been installed onto a suitcase.

The method can begin at step 605 wherein the storage tubes 11 of the suitcase trolley 10 are located. Next, the method can proceed to step 610 where a portion of the bag fabric located adjacent to the bottom end of the storage tubes is removed.

Next, the method can proceed to step 615, wherein the storage tubes 11 are disconnected from the lower plate 15, and raised to a position above the cut in the fabric. As the storage tubes are typically screwed into the lower plate, removal of any such screws will accomplish this goal.

In step 620, the rear facing end of the housing 30 can be positioned within the opening cut into the bag fabric, and the lip 35 can be secured onto the lower plate 15 utilizing conventional hardware so as to align the upper and lower channels 34 a and 34 b with the tubes 11. Next, the method can proceed to step 625, where the tubes 11 are lowered into the channels 34 a and 34 b, and subsequently reconnected to the support plate 15 using the previously removed hardware. Alternatively, the tubes 11 can be secured directly to the channels 34 a and 34 b, using conventional hardware.

In step 630, an opening sufficient to receive the sheath and cable 62 can be cut into the suitcase, and the cable passed through. Finally, in step 635, glue 102 or other adhesive materials can be applied to the back portion of the switch 63, and the housing 30 in order to secure the same to the bag and to cover the portions of the bag which were cut in steps 610 and 630.

Although described above with respect to a particular sequence, this is for illustrative purposes only, as the above described method steps can be performed in any order sufficient to achieve the goals recited herein.

FIG. 8 illustrates the apparatus in a closed position on a conventional suitcase 5. When in the closed position, the pivotal support arm 40 is positioned within the centrally located recess 31 of the main body 30, and the latch 61 and clip 45 are engaged. When so positioned, the apparatus is generally flat, the support strut 50 is in a retracted position and is contained within strut cavity 32 of the main body, and the wheels 43 are positioned within the wheel wells 33. As shown, when the apparatus is in the closed position, the suitcase 5 can be utilized in a traditional manner.

FIG. 9 illustrates the apparatus in the open position. To this end, whenever a force is imparted onto the switch 63, the tether can function to disengage the latch and clip so as to allow the strut 50 to extend outward, thereby rotating the pivotal arm away from the housing. In this position, the apparatus forms a generally triangular shape for supporting the suitcase at an angle. Moreover, the strut 50 can be adjustable in nature, so as to allow the user to customize the resulting angle of the bag on the ground. To this end, the strut 50 can preferably position the bag anywhere between an angle of approximately 15 and 60 degrees relative to the ground (i.e., horizontal axis X).

Accordingly, by providing a wheeled pivotal support arm which can extend outward from a conventional wheeled suitcase, the apparatus 20 can function to allow users to push or pull suitcases in any direction without requiring the bag to be balanced. Moreover, by allowing the bag to stand upright on four wheels at a user defined angle, the device can be utilized equally well with bags that are heavy or light. Finally, unlike conventional dollies and luggage carts, the apparatus can provide increased functionality while being unobtrusive and requiring no additional space within an airplane or automobile.

FIG. 10 illustrates one embodiment of a suitcase support kit 100 for modifying a conventional suitcase to incorporate the inventive concepts disclosed above. As shown, the kit 100 can include the suitcase support apparatus 20, fabric cutting scissors 101, adhesives such as glue 102, and instructions 103. As described herein, the instructions 103 can be in the form of written or electronic instructions, which can convey or illustrate the method steps 600 described above.

As to a further description of the manner and use of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A support apparatus for attachment to a wheeled suitcase, said apparatus comprising: a housing having a front surface, a rear surface, and a flared bottom section extending outward from the rear surface; a plurality of vertically aligned hollow channels disposed along the rear surface of the housing, each of the channels having a shape and dimension that is complementary to a shape and dimension of a storage tube; an elongated arm member pivotally secured to the housing, said arm member including a pair of omnidirectional wheels along a bottom surface thereof; a generally hook shaped clip that is secured to a rear facing surface of the elongated arm; a telescoping support strut having a first end that is in communication with the housing, and a second end that is in communication with the pivotal arm member; and a control unit having a spring loaded latch that is disposed along the front surface of the housing, a control switch for operating the latch, and a tether that is interposed between the latch and switch; wherein the control unit is configured to transition the apparatus between an open position and a closed position.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support strut includes a controllable gas spring.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising an adjustment mechanism that is in communication with the gas spring, said mechanism functioning to control an extension length of the gas spring.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the adjustment mechanism is operated by the control switch.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a centrally located recess having a shape and dimension that is approximate to a shape and thickness of the elongated arm member, said recess functioning to receive the elongated arm member when the apparatus is in the closed position.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising: a support strut cavity positioned along a middle portion of the centrally located recess, said cavity including a shape and dimension suitable for receiving the support strut when the device is in the closed position.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising: a pair of opposing wheel wells disposed within the main body, said wheel wells having a shape and dimension suitable for receiving the omnidirectional wheels when the apparatus is in the closed position.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the plurality of vertically aligned hollow channels includes a pair of upper channels and a pair of lower channels, each of said channels being located on either side of the support strut cavity and at a location between the opposing wheel wells.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the plurality of vertically aligned hollow channels includes a pair of upper channels and a pair of lower channels, each of said channels being located on either side of the support strut cavity and at a location that is directly above the opposing wheel wells.
 10. A method for installing a support apparatus to a wheeled suitcase, said method comprising: providing a suitcase support apparatus that includes a housing having a front surface, a rear surface, and a flared bottom section extending outward from the rear surface, a plurality of vertically aligned hollow channels disposed along the rear surface of the housing, each of the channels having a shape and dimension that is complementary to a shape and dimension of a storage tube, an elongated arm member pivotally secured to the housing, said arm member including a pair of omnidirectional wheels along a bottom surface thereof, a generally hook shaped clip that is secured to a rear facing surface of the elongated arm, a telescoping support strut having a first end that is in communication with the housing, and a second end that is in communication with the pivotal arm member, and a control unit having a latch that is disposed along the front surface of the housing, a control switch for operating the latch, and a tether that is interposed between the latch and switch; providing a wheeled suitcase that includes a generally cavernous bag area having a front surface and a rear surface, a pair of longitudinally extending storage tubes, a pair of telescoping rods contained within the storage tubes, a handle secured to the telescoping rods, and a lower plate that is in communication with the bag area and the storage tubes, said bottom plate further including a pair of wheels; cutting a portion of the bag area that is located adjacent to the storage tubes and the bottom plate; disconnecting the storage tubes from the lower plate; positioning the suitcase support apparatus within the opening; positioning the disconnected storage tubes within the plurality of vertically aligned hollow channels; securing the flared bottom section of the suitcase support apparatus to the lower plate; and adhering the suitcase support apparatus to the bag portion along the area of the opening.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: cutting a second opening within the bag area; positioning the tether within the second opening; and securing the switch onto an outside portion of the bag area.
 12. A suitcase support kit, comprising: a suitcase support apparatus that includes a housing having a front surface, a rear surface, and a flared bottom section extending outward from the rear surface, a plurality of vertically aligned hollow channels disposed along the rear surface of the housing, each of the channels having a shape and dimension that is complementary to a shape and dimension of a storage tube, an elongated arm member pivotally secured to the housing, said arm member including a pair of omnidirectional wheels along a bottom surface thereof, a generally hook shaped clip that is secured to a rear facing surface of the elongated arm, a telescoping support strut having a first end that is in communication with the housing, and a second end that is in communication with the pivotal arm member, and a control unit having a latch that is disposed along the front surface of the housing, a control switch for operating the latch, and a tether that is interposed between the latch and switch; a fabric cutting device; an adhesive material; and instructions for performing the method of claim
 10. 